What does it mean to work with a Naturopath?
What does it mean to work with a Naturopath?
Many people wonder what it is a Naturopath actually does, and what they can get out of this experience. Today I’m going to break this down for you. We will discuss what you can expect when you work with me as your Naturopath, and how this process educates, empowers, and transforms your knowledge and health. Naturopathy is a wonderful form of healthcare, and it’s unlike any other that you may have experienced before. Let’s start by looking at what happens in your first consult with me.
Your Initial consultation
Your initial Naturopathic consult is an experience that is spacious and allows for you to fully explain what’s happening with your current state of health and your health history. I’m here to truly listen to you in a safe and caring environment, which helps form a true healing relationship right from the beginning. We have 1 hour together for this initial visit, and so there is plenty of time to ask necessary questions and get a complete picture of your current health. I may also do some physical examinations, such as assessing your tongue, skin, nails, and eyes. This can be done via photos for online consultations. These physical signs give great clues as to what is happening inside of your body. If we need some more conclusive evidence, any relevant pathology tests can be ordered at this point as well.
Your personal health goals are always top of mind, and as this is your health journey, you will be consulted throughout the process. You can then make decisions from an educated and fully informed position, which is especially important in the Naturopathic model of care.
Personalised treatment plans
Your initial appointment is a fact finding and information gathering session first and foremost. This allows me to then formulate a treatment plan based on what we’ve found together during that consult, and on both your health goals and what your body needs at this point in time to attain balance and wellness.
Together we discuss this treatment plan in full, and what it is going to do for you. This allows you to learn about your health, and what effects the proposed treatments can have on your body. The whole process is designed to educate you on what you need in this moment, so that you can proceed from an informed and educated place. It’s never about being told what to do, but rather about being involved/informed and then choosing for yourself what feels right and good.
Treatment options
As a Naturopath, one of my foundational beliefs is that the body can heal itself if we give it the correct tools and treatments to do so. I get great joy from selecting the right healing treatments for your specific needs, and these treatments could include any of the following:
· Herbal medicine
· Nutritional medicine
· Dietary changes
· Stress management practices
· Spiritual and emotional integration practices
· Lifestyle changes as necessary. This could include looking at your sleeping patterns, movement style, how you eat your meals etc.
Every patient that comes through my clinic is treated as the individual that they are. You are a whole being, and I treat you as a person, not a disease that you may have. Therefore, no two patients with the same condition will ever have the exact same prescription. You truly get a bespoke treatment plan tailored to you, and this is what makes Naturopathy so special.
Education and empowerment are the biggest gifts you will receive from our time working together. This allows you to form a true understanding of your health and gives you the knowledge to maintain your wellbeing moving forward into the future. In the end my patients heal themselves, and I am the guide and educator along the way.
In conclusion, Naturopathy gives you the opportunity to be truly listened to and heard in a caring and safe environment, and the value of this cannot be underestimated. Together as a team we have the time to uncover the root cause of your current health, which is something very hard to find in today’s healthcare system. Your treatment plan is then formulated based on your health needs, and what is achievable and feels good to you. You will then be given the time and commitment to achieve the results you desire moving forward. I look forward to welcoming you into my clinic and guiding you through the Naturopathic healthcare model.